Ex-Rep. Kim Files Papers for 42nd District Race

Former U.S. Rep. Jay Kim, a Diamond Bar Republican whose six years in Congress ended in 1998 after pleading guilty to accepting illegal campaign contributions, filed candidacy papers on Thursday seeking election to Congress from the Inland Empire.

Kim, 60, who now lives in Virginia, took out papers last week and said he was exploring a run for office. He returned the completed paperwork to the San Bernardino County registrar of voters office Thursday afternoon, officially naming himself as a candidate for the 42nd District.

The seat is now held by former state Sen. Joe Baca (D-Rialto), who won a special election last month to succeed George E. Brown Jr., also a Democrat, who died in office in July.

The deadline to file for election is today, and so far no other Republicans have returned their candidacy papers. A majority of the voters in the district, which runs along Interstate 10 from Ontario to San Bernardino, are registered Democrats.

Kim pleaded guilty in 1997 to accepting more than $250,000 in illegal campaign funds. He spent two months in home detention and his election committee was fined $170,000 by the Justice Department.